“The Quarterback I Trust The Most”
December 18th, 2023
Is Baker Mayfield the seventh-best quarterback in the NFC? Joe would go there.
It seems former NFL MVP quarterback Rich Gannon would, too. Gannon is well known for his career taking off when he reached his fourth team at 34 years old, the Raiders in 1999.
Gannon went from a nothing-special starter who had a couple of decent seasons to a four-time Pro Bowler. Enter Baker Mayfield, he’s on his fourth team at 28 years old, and now he’s thriving.
“Maturity,” is what former QB Phil Simms bellowed about Mayfield on the CBS postgame show on Sunday.
Gannon has voiced his share of Mayfield appreciation while hosting on SiriusXM NFL Radio. Today, Gannon made it clear he sees the Bucs as the favorite in the NFC South. Why? Mayfield is a big reason. “He’s the quarterback I trust the most” in the division, Gannon said.
Gannon raved about the precision throw Mayfield made to backup receiver David Moore in the fourth quarter (video below) against the Packers. He also had a lot to say about how miserable the Packers defense was all game — “terrible tackling, bad angles in the secondary.”
The Green Bay defense gave “a sorry effort,” Gannon said, and he speculated a coordinator change their is imminent.
Mayfield is in a fascinating spot in his career. Would the Bucs dare let an above-average starting quarterback walk out the door in free agency after a good season — at 29 years old?
Joe is not anointing Mayfield. He needs to finish strong. The Bucs haven’t won anything yet, other than the hearts of many fans that were ready to take up knitting and yoga on Sundays rather than watch Bucs games.
December 18th, 2023 at 3:52 pm
Isn’t that DC in GB the son in law of the great Monte Kiffin?
December 18th, 2023 at 3:59 pm
I would have to say that Baker is pretty much a lock for FedEx Air Player of the week
December 18th, 2023 at 3:59 pm
Bakefield is looking better.
December 18th, 2023 at 4:00 pm
Mayfield needs to string together more than a single good game. He’s got a good start after Sundays game. I hope it’s more than a one and done.
December 18th, 2023 at 4:02 pm
Chris Simms, LOL. He’s suddenly bellowing about Baker’s “maturity” after being hugely critical and burying the dude a week or two ago. Meanwhile, Little Chrissy has the maturity of an arrogant 13 year old.
December 18th, 2023 at 4:05 pm
Let’s get some consistency and beat a desperate jag team that’s gonna be hungry to keep their playoff berth alive. Then handle the no good for nothing saints and win the division before we start saying we need to sign mayfield to a big contract. He had a great game but he needs to prove it with these last 3 coming up
December 18th, 2023 at 4:08 pm
It is apparent to most people here ( with the exception of all the KT fans) that BM is the best QB in the NFC South division!! He doesn’t always play like it but the others QBs don’t either!
The most important thing this offense needed was some confidence! Their confidence seems to be growing week after week! Good time of the year for that to happen!
December 18th, 2023 at 4:23 pm
I would say Baker is the 5th best Qb in the NFC if you go by statistical data. He is our franchise Qb we never really had. It’s nice to finally have a guy who will Qb here for 6 to 8 years. Let’s draft some oline help really build this team into a contender.
December 18th, 2023 at 4:27 pm
Baker needs consistency, and an interior O-Line upgrade. If he’s going to take this team to the next level, Licht needs to keep the offensive side coaching staff mostly intact, and draft a center and a BIG LG for ’24.
December 18th, 2023 at 4:37 pm
It’s a TRAP!
He’s gonna look great until he’s signed for 5 years.
December 18th, 2023 at 4:42 pm
I’ve been convinced that Bowles is incapable of changing what’s not working. The Packers game showed two things – (1) Toss is willing to make the hard personnel move, and (2) He finally demonstrated that he’s rather score points than stick to an outdated formula for ball control and a rested defense. Nothing restful about 2 runs for 4 yards and an incomplete 3rd down pass.
Cmon Todd. Show us that you can mature as a head coach and do what it takes to win.
Also – please fix that horrible Cover 3 bust defense that gets roasted every. Single.game.
December 18th, 2023 at 4:53 pm
Packers had the 8th best passing defense going into the game and only allowed 14 passing TDs on the year. The “Packers defense sux” came from getting gashed on the run game last week. Packers pass defense was in the top 10.
December 18th, 2023 at 5:02 pm
I admit, Baker is the best qb in NFC South which tells you how bad NFC South is. A best qb out of a trash division is still a trash. What do you think when you dig into trash can ? You still get a trash.
December 18th, 2023 at 5:02 pm
Hail, Hail, Fire and snow, to Kyle Trask we must go
Far away cross the NFC, Kyle Trask Come to me
December 18th, 2023 at 5:14 pm
David – you think Trashk is gonna somehow turn the Bucs into a Super Bowl contender ?? He can’t even get himself off the bench in front of multiple professionals paid to evaluate pro players. But you know better.
Riiiiighhhhhttt.
December 18th, 2023 at 5:17 pm
If they win out and a playoff win is gonna be hard to let him walk
December 18th, 2023 at 5:23 pm
Congratulations to Baker for being nominated for Air Offensive Player of the week!
Go vote everyone!
December 18th, 2023 at 5:25 pm
I’ll take the win but let’s get some perspective here. GB’s defense was horrible. How horrible? As horrible as our defense was against the Texans. That wasn’t the Bucs coming alive on offense, it wasn’t Baker earning a fat contract at eoy, or none of that. It was horrible football from GB.
We did good things with the ease of use defense they put on the field.
I’m not seeing anything else illuminated with this win
December 18th, 2023 at 5:26 pm
Mayfield isn’t going anywhere if the Bucs have anything to say about it. Who would they get to replace him with? Old Crableggs? Please….The glazers may have been born at nite, but it wasn’t last nite.
December 18th, 2023 at 5:28 pm
He’s what the Bucs need right now. Giving us an identity
December 18th, 2023 at 5:57 pm
Ok. I’m gonna be the first to say it.
Mayfield wins nfl MVP this year.
Or at least most improved.
December 18th, 2023 at 6:00 pm
Interesting take. I agree as QBs age the good ones get by more on smarts. That’s how you get your Mannings and Brady’s playing into their 40s. You cant trick them with a disguised coverage, one glance and they know where the holes in the D are going to be
December 18th, 2023 at 6:05 pm
I have wanted Trask to play and still do. He has way more upside than BM. But I’m not the coach or GM. If we are going to keep Baker we need to build around him. 1. Center 2. LG 3. A quick, hard hitting bowling ball type RB. I like White, but he can’t do it all. 4. Edge rushers.
December 18th, 2023 at 6:13 pm
Bringback@ Do you partske in alcoholic beverages and or some sort of medication that distorts your mind? MVP??? Joe Flacco had a good game Sunday is he in.the running as well. Nucs beat a team with the same losing record the Bucs had. Some.have him winning a PO game. How about the Bucs beat a team with a winning record before they give everyone a trophy. When Baker throws for 79yds and 1 td & 2 ints you will all hang him out to dry. This is the most fickle fan base I have ever witnessed.
December 18th, 2023 at 6:26 pm
No NFL player has been more valuable to his team, all things considered. Three more games like yesterday and the Bucs are in and he’s an MVP candidate!
December 18th, 2023 at 6:49 pm
David Says:
December 18th, 2023 at 5:02 pm
best qb out of a trash division is still a trash. What do you think when you dig into trash can ? You still get a trash.
———-
someone needs to perform a welfare check on David. his local CVS is out of Kleenex as well
December 18th, 2023 at 6:53 pm
I am going to say this as a Baker fan
all this contract and awards talk is three weeks premature
Chill and enjoy the race.
December 18th, 2023 at 7:18 pm
Well, miracles never cease. Dave Pear is not slamming the Bucs or Bowles. Hey DP. What are you gonna do if they beat Jax 🎄 Eve? That’ll be 4 in a row. Bucs win streak is 5 in a row. I say 10-7.
December 18th, 2023 at 7:24 pm
If Baker plays poor next week then the talk will be about drafting a QB. we need to see how it all finishes and plays out first. but if Baker plays well for the remaining games, AND the coaches jobs are saved, then Baker will be a great steal for us financially. Ive heard some say hed cost 20-30mil if he played well and earned a contract.. no he wouldnt… basic supply and demand applies here. the supply of QBs is large – most teams have their QB, and other who need one are looking at a deep QB draft class – Patriots, Raiders, Bears, etc. Demand for FA QB again because teams already have their guy, other will want to draft one, and then others cant bring in an expensive FA because theyre locked into bad contracts already – Giants, Jets, Raiders.. Vikings would likely resign Cousins over Baker.. so… no Baker will not cost much. 2 year 30mil (15ml a year) should be the most.
December 18th, 2023 at 7:38 pm
Some of the trolls on this site (David) still can’t give Baker his due for playing one hell of a game. Instead they give him a backhanded compliment. But as I’ve said many times, I’ve seen Baker play a LOT OF VERY GOOD GAMES and some GREAT games while with Cleveland. So I know what this guy can do.
All I heard the last three weeks was that the Bucs wouldn’t beat the Panthers or the Falcons and certainly not the mighty Packers. We’ll, guess what happened you losers?
If Baker continues to play well and the Bucs continue to win, then there will be at least 6 teams who would love to sign him to a multi-year deal. And if the Bucs want to go in a different direction, then it’ll just be another big mistake by ownership. Hey, Baker is only 28!
And please don’t make me laugh by saying that Trask has more upside than Baker, because it only makes you look stupid.
December 18th, 2023 at 7:46 pm
If Baker decides to stay with the Bucs it won’t be for 2 years @ 15M per. More likely, it would be for 60M for two years with additional incentives built in. I’m also certain that he would give the Bucs a hometown discount, since he’s already alluded to the fact that he like it here.
Also, for all you Trask fans, if the Bucs sign Baker and also draft a QB, your boy is news.
December 18th, 2023 at 7:54 pm
I’m not a stat guy you can play really good ball and the stats don’t tell the whole story!! However for everyone out there saying he has to play more than one good game, he has 3,500 plus total yards and 25 tuddies!! I’m not saying that’s the best stats in pro ball right now, but I am saying it’s top 10 stuff, at the highest level the game is played. In the business of pro ball that’s pretty damn good ask the other 20 plus some teams. A bunch of organizations would pay top dollar for that kinda production right now! Hell it would have 4 to 5 teams that are on the outside looking in, probably two games better with thoses numbers from the QB position!
December 18th, 2023 at 8:20 pm
The Bucs are 7-7 500 ball.
No matter what is happening at this moment, time will tell as far as Baker goes. He is good guy with not a lot of results when looking at his NFL journey, he has had his moments, but so far in 2023- 500 is what it is.
Fun game to see on Sunday, but it only equals a LEGIT SHOT at the Division title and the playoffs, nothing else.
Hope the Baker Bucs doe well, but who knows, we will see.
7-7 is the record, it would be nice to have a winning record and not a losing one.
BTW, why compare Baker to an old 2022 statue version of Brady, {Barney the purple Dinosaur} that is not saying anything lol lol Of course Baker is much better than Dino lol 2022 Brady
Last year equals a losing record 8-9 and a nasty seal clubbing beatdown in a home playoff game against Dallas. Yep a Dino Brady finish that only Fred Flintstone could appreciate lol
*Side note 7 Ring GOAT Brady 2020-2021 100+TDs and Super Bowl Champion
If Baker wins a playoff game, then there is something to say, but until then, everything is wait and see just what happens.
First things first, just win the division and go from there.
December 18th, 2023 at 8:28 pm
If they let Baker walk after this year and pin their hopes on an unknown unproven 21 yr old QB, then that’s on them…He will get snatched up quick! U can’t put a price tag on the heart he brings to the team and locker room. Draft one if he’s on the board and he’s ur guy and let him sit and watch and gleam some of the passion Baker brings, and then hopefully he doesn’t see the field for 4 years cause Baker is balling out
December 18th, 2023 at 8:31 pm
Let’s slow down everyone. Baker will not win the MVP. He played his best game of the season along with the rest of the team. Let’s see how the rest of the season plays out.
December 18th, 2023 at 8:42 pm
Here’s the thing: As a Sooner fan, I had the privilege of watching Baker, Kyler, and Jalen closely. Baker was by far the best out of the three while running the same offense with the same play caller.
Although he’s an amazing QB and even better human being, if you told me that Jalen would be perceived as a much better NFL QB than Baker (or Kyler), I and every other Sooner fan would’ve called you nuts. Here’s why it has turned out differently: Football is a team game. Baker is as good as any NFL QB who is in the right situation.
December 18th, 2023 at 9:04 pm
I’m not a fanboy of baykers but we should sign him now to a team friendly deal and build up, yes the coaching staff I think has improved glad to see a good man coach Bowles doing well. Have a great holiday season my fellow Bucs fans and joes! Let’s all unite and have a great 24
December 18th, 2023 at 9:04 pm
I’m not a fanboy of baykers but we should sign him now to a team friendly deal and build up, yes the coaching staff I think has improved glad to see a good man coach Bowles doing well. Have a great holiday season my fellow Bucs fans and joes! Let’s all unite and have a great 24 and Go bucs
December 18th, 2023 at 9:07 pm
Go Bucs!!!
December 18th, 2023 at 9:31 pm
$40 mill!!!!!
X 3? 4? 5?
Easily.
December 18th, 2023 at 9:54 pm
WyomingJoe Says:
December 18th, 2023 at 7:38 pm
I’ve seen Baker play a LOT OF VERY GOOD GAMES and some GREAT games while with Cleveland.
—–
He needs to put them together now though. He’s had three ELITE level games in a year
Rams vs Raiders, Rams vs Denver and yesterday. IF he can stay one place and bottle those mechanics up then he has that tools to be close to top five.
Thats not saying he will but what those games showed
December 18th, 2023 at 10:15 pm
Oral Buc you should try to stop showing your arse in this forum. Bowles did two things it took him 14 weeks to do. Bench Devin White and take the cuffs off of Canales and Baker. Kudos to him for that. Shame on him for waiting so long.
Let’s see if he has the courage and savvy to handle success and get the team to play even better. Especially his cover zero receivers defense.
I’m hopeful but not confident. Now you can blow me, a kiss.
December 18th, 2023 at 10:47 pm
Are u kidding me, should have done this with him and evans 2 wks ago, cost them 25M. Evans short term, i would have locked BM up for 5 with a sht load of bonuses, need help all over the field then might have something
December 18th, 2023 at 10:48 pm
He took the 1-17 browns to the playoff for the first time in 25 yrs. WTF
December 18th, 2023 at 10:52 pm
With 5 coaches and an offense sht show, I guarantee u, these are alot of OU/Lincoln Riley plays, BM knows them like a bk.
Cleveland GM went down to get the lowdown on playbk in second season
LMAO
They’re getting better, running traps alot in RG, White has turned into heck of a reciever, looks like joe mixon
December 18th, 2023 at 10:57 pm
$40 mill for 4 years
$100 guaranteed
Jason Licht for the win!
December 18th, 2023 at 11:28 pm
Eagle aren’t looking good, Cowpoke either,
taking it to SB
GO BUCS
December 19th, 2023 at 12:10 am
I put $200 on bake to win the mvp. In august. Admittedly a reach. That ticket is worth 32k if he hits. 3 more great games, and a nice playoff run, who knows . I guy can dream…☺️
December 19th, 2023 at 6:37 am
Let’embake@ is baked. Might as well put $100 on them to win SB, idds are probably 3000 to 1.
December 19th, 2023 at 10:30 am
Few can throw the seam routes as well as Baker. Last week TD to Evans was classic Baker. A rope between CB and safety right on the money. It has never mattered whether Baker rolls out or throws from the pocket it is just easier throwing seam routes from the pocket. Interesting hearing again from all the experts what Baker can or cannot do. For all experts suggest you watch Baker internet highlights from his Oklahoma days. He throws everything well with or without touch–deep ball, play action, crossing, seam and sideline out. Won’t take long to confirm what I have been saying on these pages. I didn’t just get Baker religion after 3 victories in a row.
December 19th, 2023 at 11:41 am
Statistically, Baker is the 9th best QB in the league… statistically, one spot higher than Mahomes. Is he? No, but he’s decent. You can win with Mayfield. There’s a lot to like. Even when he’s not on, he’s gritty enough and confident enough to keep you in it…. he’s NOT a top five QB and likely will never be… but if he can finish the last three games similar to the way he’s played the previous three games, I think he does deserve an extension. He has NOT been perfect the last three games but he has been gutty and competitive and made the plays when necessary. That’s about as much as you can ask for from a bargain basement QB. But this guy is not yet 29, has excellent tools. An excellent arm, pretty good mobility, super tough, clutch, but he has been inconsistent with his accuracy… and his deep passes need work… but as Canales starts to get his bearings and handle on the OC position, Mayfield should continue to play well and possibly thrive. His rating is nearly 95… this despite a running game that went nowhere for most of the season, an OC that has struggled to keep defenses guessing and putting player in the best position to make plays, considering the circumstances, he’s done great.
December 19th, 2023 at 11:58 am
If Bowles could just teach his defense to play mediocre against the pass, It might get interesting.
December 19th, 2023 at 1:16 pm
With Rodgers, Burrow, Cousins and Herbert sidelined, very possibly. This year his best trait has been availability. Some teams would have blown through Mayfield and Trask and be juggling Wolford and some guy off the street at this point
December 20th, 2023 at 9:14 am
Everyone keeps mentioning consistency,
There is a guy out there (many argue is the best QB in the league) with the following:
3,541 yds 26 TDs and 14 Int
Baker has: 3,314 yds 24 TDs and 8 Int
I will give up those 200 yds and save the 6 INT every season.
If the Defense holds off the Texans there would be a lot more Rose colored glasses.